Welcome to the Hog Blog, a blog chronicling minor-league baseball in the Lehigh Valley. Tom Housenick, The Morning Call's IronPigs beat writer, has been at The Morning Call since 2008. In a previous lifetime, he was at Lackawanna County Stadium in Moosic talking with future Phillies Jimmy Rollins, Pat Burrell, Shane Victorino and Ryan Howard, among many others.
He’ll now be spending his summers in search of who the Phillies are hoping to be the next Chase Utley and Cole Hamels plus any outfielder who catch and hit. What he really hopes to find are the next Mariano Rivera, Todd Helton and Jim Thome --- great human beings who happened to be great at this sport.
He spent the last five years covering Colonial League football, college basketball and high school track & field.

We'll never know the answer to this, of course, but I sometimes wonder whether the crowds that packed Coca-Cola Park last year would have turned out if, instead of year one for the IronPigs, it was year 10 or 15.

You didn't exactly see a lot of tomorrow's stars today at the park last summer, unless they were wearing a vistor's uniform.

But that should change this summer.

Barring a spring trade or two, I can see three home-grown products in the starting rotation -- prized prospect Carlos Carrasco, former second-round pick Andrew Carpenter, and either J.A. Happ or Kyle Kendrick, depending on the outcome of the fight for the fifth spot in the Phillies' rotation.

There should be an equal amount among the regular position players -- infielder Jason Donald, catcher Lou Marson and outfielder Jeremy Slayden.

In my mind, Happ labeled himself the favorite for the open spot in the Phillies rotation with his year with the IronPigs last season -- he had a 3.60 ERA and a three-to-one (153-to-48) strikeout-to-walk ratio -- and in his four solid starts with the Phillies.

Kendrick has made 50 starts and has won 21 games for the Phillies since they plucked him -- out of desparation -- from Double-A Reading in mid-2007. His late-season struggles last year loosened his grip on the spot but Phillies farm director Steve Noworyta said Kendrick showed glimpses of his old form in the fall instructional league.

"To me, you can't give up on a guy like Kyle Kendrick," he said.

We got to see a glimpse of Carrasco at the end of last season, and there was a lot to like in the 21-year-old Venezuelan. His name will be mentioned in the fight for the open spot in the Phillies rotation but unless he forces the Phillies hand by being all but untouchable in the next two months he'll come to Lehigh Valley to rack up some Triple-A innings.

As for Carpenter, unless he didn't learn his lesson last spring -- when he reported out of shape and had a dismal start at Reading -- the 23-year-old right hander should be wearing an IronPigs uniform to start the season. He recovered very well after a stint in the Florida sun working off the pounds at Clearwater last summer, and even managed to make both his Triple-A and major league debut late in the season.

"I think what happened this offseason, and how he prepared himself, will tell us whether he deserves to go to Triple-A or Double-A, but my gut feeling is that h'll be in Triple-A," Noworyta said.

Carpenter was 17-6 two years ago at Clearwater before stumbling early last season.

"I'm an Andrew Carpenter fan," Noworyta said. "I was there for him in those struggles to kind of push him along, to let him know what type of player he is, that he can pitch in the big leagues. He got a chance in the big leagues [in August with one inning against the Mets], and once you get that taste you want to get back. I think he's going to come back ready to go for this year."

The rest of the pitching staff will likely be made up of free agent signings. The Phillies are bringing at least eight pitchers in camp with major league experience, and also took right hander Bobby Mosebach from the Angels in the Rule 5 draft. Mosebach was 9-12 in 29 starts last year at Double-A Arkansas and was the Angels ninth-round pick in 2005.

Under Rule 5 rules the Phillies would have to keep Mosebach on the major league roster for a year or else offer him back to the Angels. But remember, the Phillies got Shane Victorino in the same fashion from the Dodgers in 2004, and when the Dodgers didn't want him back sent him to Scranton for a year before he became a fixture in the Phillies outfield.

A familiar face may still turn up on Opening Day -- Steve Green, who excelled in his middle-inning role last year for the IronPigs. Green, who said at the end of last season he wanted to return to the organization, is currently unsigned. But Noworyta said Green and his agent are taking a wait-and-see approach this spring -- Green should be on the Canadian roster for the World Baseball Classic (he was on Canada's Olympic team last year and performed well in China) and is waiting to see what might develop.

"He's a good guy and we'd like to have him back," Noworyta said.

Donald and Marson will be the attractions among the everyday players. Donald's path to the majors is currently blocked by Jimmy Rollins at short but he spent the winter working at second and third, and one scenario has him taking over at second if Chase Utley is shifted to first if Ryan Howard departs.

Marson subplanted the traded Jason Jaramillo as the catcher of the future, and there was speculation last season that the Phillies might be tempted to give him a shot at the job as early as this spring. But Carlos Ruiz's strong finish quieted that talk, and Noworyta said the organization wants him to get regular at-bats this year.

"He's an everyday guy, and I think he needs another year before he's ready to take that leap," Nowortya said.

While Marson will play every day it'll be interesting to see who comes as his back-up. Kansas City took John Suomi in the minor league Rule 5 draft, and Noworyta signed veteran Paul Hoover to be the backup. However, there's also going to be a battle for Ruiz's back-up between the popular Chris Coste and Ronny Paulino, obtained for Jaramillo. Neither would be happy coming to the IronPigs, where they will get limited playing time, and would likely want to move outside the organization. But Noworyta said circumstances could change.

"We had to protect ourselves with a guy like Paul, but if things change we'll have to deal with it," Nowortya said.

Slayden is worth keeping an eye on. An eight-round pick in 2005 out of Georgia Tech, where he set the freshman home run record before injuries slowed his progress, Slayden has moved up one level each season and has a .294 career average with 50 homers in four seasons.

"He puts up numbers everywhere he goes," Noworyta said. "But one thing he ahs to work on is the ups-and-downs; he has so many peaks and valleys in his seasons, and you want to see him eliminate those valleys and be consistent. Once he does that he's going to become a pretty good hitter in the big leagues."

Slayden's impending arrival is one reason why the Phillies didn't pursue Jon Knott, whose arrival in a May trade last season helped spark a three-month surge. "We're very comfortable with the outfielders we have coming in," Nowortya said, a list that includes Slayden, returner Rich Thompson, and newcomer John Mayberry Jr.

One of the more surprising moves in the offseason was the trade of Greg Golson to Texas for Mayberry, a power hitter with 82 homers in his four-year career. Golson spent September with the Phillies after a year at Reading where he hit 282 with 18 doubles, four triples, 13 homers, and 27 steals. But he also struck out 130 times in 426 at-bats, and has averaged more than strikeout a game throughout his career.

"It just seemed like maybe he slowed down a bit," Noworyta said, referring to Golson's development.

One of the more interesting stories to watch in the spring is the role Marcus Giles plays. Giles, a .277 hitter over seven major league seasons, is in camp as insurance in case Utley isn't able to come back as quickly as hoped from hip surgery.

Noworyta said Giles has an out-clause in his contract if he doesn't make the major league roster but didn't rule out him wearing an IronPigs uniform.

"Anytime your playing and have a chance to get back to the big leagues, you usually take it," he said.

At the very least, Nowortya said, Giles will provide competition in camp.

"That's what you want," he said.

Only three position players are back, and all three were key offensive players -- Mike Cervenak,Andy Tracy and Thompson. Just as importantly, they're clubhouse leaders.

"They're older guys who can help out with our young players," Nowortya said.

IronPigs manager Dave Huppert is thrilled to have them back.

"They'll take care of the locker room, and that's all that matters to me," he said. "They're going to make this team a team, and that's why they're so valuable to me."

A FEW OTHER NOTES TO WRAP THIS UP...

Kyle Drabek is back after missing most of last year while recovering from elbow surgery. He had a 2.23 ERA and allowed just 17 hits in 32.1 innings in the Gulf Coast League and at Williamsport at the end of last season.

"We got rave reviews on him out of the [winter league in] Hawaii [winter league]," Nowortya said of the former first-round pick. "When he had that arm surgery he realized he lost something he wasn't sure he was going to get back, and now that he has it back, he's ready to go."

The knock on Drabek was always his mental make-up, but Noworyta said the 21-year-old right hander has matured after facing what might have been a career-ending injury.

Noworyta expects Joe Savery to begin at Double-A Reading this year despite a rough season at Clearwater (9-10, 4.13).

"He took a step back but it was a learning experience," Nowortya said. "I think he realized what he did last year and what he has to prepare for, so I think he's got that chance to be at Double-A."

The Phillies will bring Scott Mathieson along slowly from his second Tommy John surgery last spring. "He's got a big arm and we want to make sure he's healthy," he said of the 24-year-old, who had eight starts for the Phillies in 2006. "You probably won't see him too much in the first half but you'll start to see him in the second."

Nowortya also said young outfielders Michael Taylor and Dominic Brown will likely start the season at Clearwater.

We'll never know the answer to this, of course, but I sometimes wonder whether the crowds that packed Coca-Cola Park last year would have turned out if, instead of year one for the IronPigs, it was year 10 or 15.

You didn't exactly see a lot of tomorrow's stars today at the park last summer, unless they were wearing a vistor's uniform.

But that should change this summer.

Barring a spring trade or two, I can see three home-grown products in the starting rotation -- prized prospect Carlos Carrasco, former second-round pick Andrew Carpenter, and either J.A. Happ or Kyle Kendrick, depending on the outcome of the fight for the fifth spot in the Phillies' rotation.

There should be an equal amount among the regular position players -- infielder Jason Donald, catcher Lou Marson and outfielder Jeremy Slayden.

In my mind, Happ labeled himself the favorite for the open spot in the Phillies rotation with his year with the IronPigs last season -- he had a 3.60 ERA and a three-to-one (153-to-48) strikeout-to-walk ratio -- and in his four solid starts with the Phillies.

Kendrick has made 50 starts and has won 21 games for the Phillies since they plucked him -- out of desparation -- from Double-A Reading in mid-2007. His late-season struggles last year loosened his grip on the spot but Phillies farm director Steve Noworyta said Kendrick showed glimpses of his old form in the fall instructional league.

"To me, you can't give up on a guy like Kyle Kendrick," he said.

We got to see a glimpse of Carrasco at the end of last season, and there was a lot to like in the 21-year-old Venezuelan. His name will be mentioned in the fight for the open spot in the Phillies rotation but unless he forces the Phillies hand by being all but untouchable in the next two months he'll come to Lehigh Valley to rack up some Triple-A innings.

As for Carpenter, unless he didn't learn his lesson last spring -- when he reported out of shape and had a dismal start at Reading -- the 23-year-old right hander should be wearing an IronPigs uniform to start the season. He recovered very well after a stint in the Florida sun working off the pounds at Clearwater last summer, and even managed to make both his Triple-A and major league debut late in the season.

"I think what happened this offseason, and how he prepared himself, will tell us whether he deserves to go to Triple-A or Double-A, but my gut feeling is that h'll be in Triple-A," Noworyta said.

Carpenter was 17-6 two years ago at Clearwater before stumbling early last season.

"I'm an Andrew Carpenter fan," Noworyta said. "I was there for him in those struggles to kind of push him along, to let him know what type of player he is, that he can pitch in the big leagues. He got a chance in the big leagues [in August with one inning against the Mets], and once you get that taste you want to get back. I think he's going to come back ready to go for this year."

The rest of the pitching staff will likely be made up of free agent signings. The Phillies are bringing at least eight pitchers in camp with major league experience, and also took right hander Bobby Mosebach from the Angels in the Rule 5 draft. Mosebach was 9-12 in 29 starts last year at Double-A Arkansas and was the Angels ninth-round pick in 2005.

Under Rule 5 rules the Phillies would have to keep Mosebach on the major league roster for a year or else offer him back to the Angels. But remember, the Phillies got Shane Victorino in the same fashion from the Dodgers in 2004, and when the Dodgers didn't want him back sent him to Scranton for a year before he became a fixture in the Phillies outfield.

A familiar face may still turn up on Opening Day -- Steve Green, who excelled in his middle-inning role last year for the IronPigs. Green, who said at the end of last season he wanted to return to the organization, is currently unsigned. But Noworyta said Green and his agent are taking a wait-and-see approach this spring -- Green should be on the Canadian roster for the World Baseball Classic (he was on Canada's Olympic team last year and performed well in China) and is waiting to see what might develop.

"He's a good guy and we'd like to have him back," Noworyta said.

Donald and Marson will be the attractions among the everyday players. Donald's path to the majors is currently blocked by Jimmy Rollins at short but he spent the winter working at second and third, and one scenario has him taking over at second if Chase Utley is shifted to first if Ryan Howard departs.

Marson subplanted the traded Jason Jaramillo as the catcher of the future, and there was speculation last season that the Phillies might be tempted to give him a shot at the job as early as this spring. But Carlos Ruiz's strong finish quieted that talk, and Noworyta said the organization wants him to get regular at-bats this year.

"He's an everyday guy, and I think he needs another year before he's ready to take that leap," Nowortya said.

While Marson will play every day it'll be interesting to see who comes as his back-up. Kansas City took John Suomi in the minor league Rule 5 draft, and Noworyta signed veteran Paul Hoover to be the backup. However, there's also going to be a battle for Ruiz's back-up between the popular Chris Coste and Ronny Paulino, obtained for Jaramillo. Neither would be happy coming to the IronPigs, where they will get limited playing time, and would likely want to move outside the organization. But Noworyta said circumstances could change.

"We had to protect ourselves with a guy like Paul, but if things change we'll have to deal with it," Nowortya said.

Slayden is worth keeping an eye on. An eight-round pick in 2005 out of Georgia Tech, where he set the freshman home run record before injuries slowed his progress, Slayden has moved up one level each season and has a .294 career average with 50 homers in four seasons.

"He puts up numbers everywhere he goes," Noworyta said. "But one thing he ahs to work on is the ups-and-downs; he has so many peaks and valleys in his seasons, and you want to see him eliminate those valleys and be consistent. Once he does that he's going to become a pretty good hitter in the big leagues."

Slayden's impending arrival is one reason why the Phillies didn't pursue Jon Knott, whose arrival in a May trade last season helped spark a three-month surge. "We're very comfortable with the outfielders we have coming in," Nowortya said, a list that includes Slayden, returner Rich Thompson, and newcomer John Mayberry Jr.

One of the more surprising moves in the offseason was the trade of Greg Golson to Texas for Mayberry, a power hitter with 82 homers in his four-year career. Golson spent September with the Phillies after a year at Reading where he hit 282 with 18 doubles, four triples, 13 homers, and 27 steals. But he also struck out 130 times in 426 at-bats, and has averaged more than strikeout a game throughout his career.

"It just seemed like maybe he slowed down a bit," Noworyta said, referring to Golson's development.

One of the more interesting stories to watch in the spring is the role Marcus Giles plays. Giles, a .277 hitter over seven major league seasons, is in camp as insurance in case Utley isn't able to come back as quickly as hoped from hip surgery.

Noworyta said Giles has an out-clause in his contract if he doesn't make the major league roster but didn't rule out him wearing an IronPigs uniform.

"Anytime your playing and have a chance to get back to the big leagues, you usually take it," he said.

At the very least, Nowortya said, Giles will provide competition in camp.

"That's what you want," he said.

Only three position players are back, and all three were key offensive players -- Mike Cervenak,Andy Tracy and Thompson. Just as importantly, they're clubhouse leaders.

"They're older guys who can help out with our young players," Nowortya said.

IronPigs manager Dave Huppert is thrilled to have them back.

"They'll take care of the locker room, and that's all that matters to me," he said. "They're going to make this team a team, and that's why they're so valuable to me."

A FEW OTHER NOTES TO WRAP THIS UP...

Kyle Drabek is back after missing most of last year while recovering from elbow surgery. He had a 2.23 ERA and allowed just 17 hits in 32.1 innings in the Gulf Coast League and at Williamsport at the end of last season.

"We got rave reviews on him out of the [winter league in] Hawaii [winter league]," Nowortya said of the former first-round pick. "When he had that arm surgery he realized he lost something he wasn't sure he was going to get back, and now that he has it back, he's ready to go."

The knock on Drabek was always his mental make-up, but Noworyta said the 21-year-old right hander has matured after facing what might have been a career-ending injury.

Noworyta expects Joe Savery to begin at Double-A Reading this year despite a rough season at Clearwater (9-10, 4.13).

"He took a step back but it was a learning experience," Nowortya said. "I think he realized what he did last year and what he has to prepare for, so I think he's got that chance to be at Double-A."

The Phillies will bring Scott Mathieson along slowly from his second Tommy John surgery last spring. "He's got a big arm and we want to make sure he's healthy," he said of the 24-year-old, who had eight starts for the Phillies in 2006. "You probably won't see him too much in the first half but you'll start to see him in the second."

Nowortya also said young outfielders Michael Taylor and Dominic Brown will likely start the season at Clearwater.

A year ago the Phillies rolled out a few big guns for their Caravan stop in the Lehigh Valley prior to the IronPigs inaugural season. Hall of Fame broadcaster Harry Kalas served as master of ceremonies, manager Charlie Manuel charmed the full house at DeSales with his folksy personality, and Brett Myers auditioned for a post-career media job with an in-depth "interview" of newly signed Geoff Jenkins.

Well, it's that time of year again, but the line-up isn't quite as impressive for the second Caravan on Wednesday, Jan. 21, this time at the Holiday Inn Lehigh Valley at Fogelsville.

Oh, you'll still get to see some major league talent. Ryan Madson and Scott Eyre, two key members of the Phillies bullpen, will make the trip, as will new general manager Ruben Amaro Jr., assistant GM Benny Looper and minor league director Steve Noworyta. Manual, however, won't be present; new bullpen coach Tim Gradoville, who wore an IronPigs uniform briefly last summer before being traded to Texas, will represent the coaching staff, while IronPigs manager Dave Huppert and coach Greg Gross are also expected to attend.

And Tom McCarthy will fill in for his broadcast partner as master of ceremonies.

But somehow, I don't think too many people will miss Manuel, Kalas, et al. You won't hear a word out of the biggest attraction this year, because it's a 24-inch, 30-pound hunk of sterling silver with a monetary value of around $15,000 -- but a priceless emotional one.

The Commissioner's Trophy, better known as the World Series Trophy, will be on view before and during the event, and Caravan guests are expected to be able to pose with and photograph the symbol of the Phillies World Series victory over Tampa Bay last October.

The Caravan stop will actually be the second stop in the Lehigh Valley that day for the trophy. Earlier in the day, from 1-to-2:30 p.m. the trophy will be on display at Starters Riverport

at 17 West 2nd Street in Bethlehem in an event sponsored by local radio station AM-1470 The Fox.

IronPigs general manager Kurt Landes said the move to Fogelsville this year is to give more fans a chance to attend the event. The dinner last year drew a packed house of nearly 500 to DeSales' University Center, and Landes said the ballroom at the Holiday Inn is the biggest such room in the area, with a seating capacity of around 750.

A few weeks ago Landes reported that the IronPigs had sold around 550 tickets, and he was hoping to come close to filling the hall.

The Caravan benefits the IronPigs Charities, a recognized 501(c) (3) non-profit organization on the state and federal level which strives to provide educational and recreational opportunities for children in the Greater Lehigh Valley area. Last year's event raised more than $25,000.

Tickets are $75.00 per adult or $675.00 for a table of ten, and championship tables, allowing guests entrance to a private pre-event reception and the opportunity to mingle with event VIP’s are also available.A limited number of seats are still available by calling (610) 841-PIGS.

A year ago the Phillies rolled out a few big guns for their Caravan stop in the Lehigh Valley prior to the IronPigs inaugural season. Hall of Fame broadcaster Harry Kalas served as master of ceremonies, manager Charlie Manuel charmed the full house at DeSales with his folksy personality, and Brett Myers auditioned for a post-career media job with an in-depth "interview" of newly signed Geoff Jenkins.

Well, it's that time of year again, but the line-up isn't quite as impressive for the second Caravan on Wednesday, Jan. 21, this time at the Holiday Inn Lehigh Valley at Fogelsville.

Oh, you'll still get to see some major league talent. Ryan Madson and Scott Eyre, two key members of the Phillies bullpen, will make the trip, as will new general manager Ruben Amaro Jr., assistant GM Benny Looper and minor league director Steve Noworyta. Manual, however, won't be present; new bullpen coach Tim Gradoville, who wore an IronPigs uniform briefly last summer before being traded to Texas, will represent the coaching staff, while IronPigs manager Dave Huppert and coach Greg Gross are also expected to attend.

And Tom McCarthy will fill in for his broadcast partner as master of ceremonies.

But somehow, I don't think too many people will miss Manuel, Kalas, et al. You won't hear a word out of the biggest attraction this year, because it's a 24-inch, 30-pound hunk of sterling silver with a monetary value of around $15,000 -- but a priceless emotional one.

The Commissioner's Trophy, better known as the World Series Trophy, will be on view before and during the event, and Caravan guests are expected to be able to pose with and photograph the symbol of the Phillies World Series victory over Tampa Bay last October.

The Caravan stop will actually be the second stop in the Lehigh Valley that day for the trophy. Earlier in the day, from 1-to-2:30 p.m. the trophy will be on display at Starters Riverport

at 17 West 2nd Street in Bethlehem in an event sponsored by local radio station AM-1470 The Fox.

IronPigs general manager Kurt Landes said the move to Fogelsville this year is to give more fans a chance to attend the event. The dinner last year drew a packed house of nearly 500 to DeSales' University Center, and Landes said the ballroom at the Holiday Inn is the biggest such room in the area, with a seating capacity of around 750.

A few weeks ago Landes reported that the IronPigs had sold around 550 tickets, and he was hoping to come close to filling the hall.

The Caravan benefits the IronPigs Charities, a recognized 501(c) (3) non-profit organization on the state and federal level which strives to provide educational and recreational opportunities for children in the Greater Lehigh Valley area. Last year's event raised more than $25,000.

Tickets are $75.00 per adult or $675.00 for a table of ten, and championship tables, allowing guests entrance to a private pre-event reception and the opportunity to mingle with event VIP’s are also available.A limited number of seats are still available by calling (610) 841-PIGS.

When the 2009 IronPigs season opens they likely will have three of the top four prospects in the Phillies organization on the roster.

Baseball America's Top 10 Phillies prospect list came out Tuesday headed by 21-year-old outfielder Dominic Brown, who hit a .291 with nine homers, 54 RBIs and 22 steals last year at Lakewood.

Brown, who was sixth last year, bumped Carlos Carrasco from the top spot. Carrasco, who had a 1.72 ERA and 46 strikeouts in 36.2 innings with the IronPigs at the end of last season, should head the team's rotation this year -- unless he wows the organization in spring training and earns a spot on the major league roster.

Lou Marson, the catcher of the future, jumped from eighth to third after an all-star at Reading, where he hit .314 with five homers and 46 RBs in 94 games. Marson, who also hit .308 with a .438 on-base average for Team USA in the 2008 Olympics in China, is expected to open the season with the IronPigs after Jason Jaramillo was dealt to Pittsburgh in the offseason.

Jason Donald, a shortstop who will also get a lot of work at second and third base, soared from 15th to No. 4 on the prospect list after hitting .307 with 14 homers in 92 games at Reading. Donald also played for Team USA in China, leading the team in batting (.381), slugging percentage (.571) and on-base percentage (.536) while making one error in eight games at short.

That's a far cry from last year's inaugural season, when the IronPigs opening-day roster featured just one player (Jaramillo at No. 10) among the top 10.

J.A. Happ, expected to be in the mix for the Phillies' fifth spot in the rotation, moved up from 11th to ninth after he went 8-7 with a 3.60 ERA in 24 games while finishing second in the International League in strikeouts with 151. Happ also had three stints with the Phillies (1-0, 3.69 in eight games, four starts) and appeared in one game in the postseason for the club.

Rounding out the top five is Kyle Drabek, who pitched just 32.1 innings last year after recovering from Tommy John surgery. But if the 21-year-old right hander is healthy his career could take off -- one Phillies official said last spring that a healthy Drabek could move rapidly up the Phillies chain a la Cole Hamels, who went from Lakewood to Citizens Bank Park in a little over two months in 2006. Drabek's rise might be that spectacular but if the cards fall right he could be seen on the Coca-Cola Park mound by mid-2010.

The rest of the top 10 should spend 2009 at the lower levels.

Outfielder Michael Taylor (No. 6) hit .346 with 19 homers and 88 RBIs in 132 games last year at Lakewood and Clearwater. He could open the season at Reading.

Travis D'Arnaud (No. 7), a catcher who turns 20 on Feb. 10, hit .309 in 48 games at Williamsport and 297 in 16 games at Lakewood last year after he was a supplemental first-round pick in the 2007 draft.

Outfielder Zach Collier (No. 8), a 2008 supplemental first-round pick, hit .297 in 129 at-bats in the Gulf Coast League as a 17-year-old.

Another 17-year-old, right hander Jason Knapp (No. 10), struck out 38 and allowed 26 hits in 31 innings in the Gulf Coast League after being the 71st player taken in the draft.

This year's top 10 list doesn't include Joe Savery, No. 3 a year ago, and Drew Carpenter, last year's No. 9. Both took a step back after struggling last year.

The 23-year-old Savery, a lefty, was the club's top pick in 2007 and jumped over Lakewood to Clearwater last year, But he was only 9-10 with a 4.13 ERA with the Threshers, allowing 171 hits in 150 innings.

Carpenter, a 23-year-old righty and second-round pick in 2006, began the 2008 season as a prized pitching jewel after going 17-6 at Clearwater in '07. But after reporting to camp out of shape Carpenter got off to a disastrous start at Reading (2-7, 6.94, 1.87 WHIP in 11 starts) and found himself back at Clearwater -- or as one columnist phrased it, the Phillies' fat farm -- by midseason. However, after righting himself in Florida Carpenter returned to Reading for five solid starts (4-1, 3.44), earning him a one-inning major league debut on Aug. 27 vs. the Mets and a late-season start for the IronPigs at Pawtucket (6 hits, 2 runs in 7 innings). If he learned his lesson last year and took the offseason a bit more seriously, Carpenter could have a spot in the IronPigs rotation.

Another potential member of the IronPigs rotation could be a guy who already owns 21 major-league wins for the Phillies -- Kyle Kendrick, their seventh-round pick in 2003. Kendrick jumped from Reading to the Phillies in 2007 and went 10-4 in 20 starts, helping rescue a battered rotation and helping to keep the Phillies afloat until their September surge past the Mets to the playoffs. Kendrick won 11 games last year for the Phillies but his ERA shot up from 3.87 to 5.49, and he lost his spot in the rotation down the stretch. He likely will go to spring training as a candidate to hang onto his spot in the rotation but one would guess that, barring a late trade, the spot is Happ's to lose, which could put Kendrick in Triple-A for the first tiime in his career.

Bottom line is, the IronPigs roster this year should feature more home-grown talent than last year's edition. Then the question will be whether it's enough to compete with talent of the Red Sox (Pawtucket) and Yankees (Scranton/Wilkes-Barre) in the International League.

Last Year's Top 10

1. Carlos Carrasco

2. Adrian Cardenas (traded to Oakland in Joe Blanton deal)

3. Joe Savery

4. Josh Outman (traded to Oakland in Blanton deal)

5. Kyle Drabek

6. Dominic Brown

7. Greg Golson (traded to Texas for John Mayberry Jr)

8. Lou Marson

9. Drew Carpenter

10. Jason Jaramillo

---

Brian Mazone has returned home in his quest to reach the major leagues.

Mazone, an International League all-star the last two years for the Phillies, signed as a minor league free agent with the Dodgers, which takes him out of the IL. The Mission Viejo, Ca., native will be invited to spring training.

When the 2009 IronPigs season opens they likely will have three of the top four prospects in the Phillies organization on the roster.

Baseball America's Top 10 Phillies prospect list came out Tuesday headed by 21-year-old outfielder Dominic Brown, who hit a .291 with nine homers, 54 RBIs and 22 steals last year at Lakewood.

Brown, who was sixth last year, bumped Carlos Carrasco from the top spot. Carrasco, who had a 1.72 ERA and 46 strikeouts in 36.2 innings with the IronPigs at the end of last season, should head the team's rotation this year -- unless he wows the organization in spring training and earns a spot on the major league roster.

Lou Marson, the catcher of the future, jumped from eighth to third after an all-star at Reading, where he hit .314 with five homers and 46 RBs in 94 games. Marson, who also hit .308 with a .438 on-base average for Team USA in the 2008 Olympics in China, is expected to open the season with the IronPigs after Jason Jaramillo was dealt to Pittsburgh in the offseason.

Jason Donald, a shortstop who will also get a lot of work at second and third base, soared from 15th to No. 4 on the prospect list after hitting .307 with 14 homers in 92 games at Reading. Donald also played for Team USA in China, leading the team in batting (.381), slugging percentage (.571) and on-base percentage (.536) while making one error in eight games at short.

That's a far cry from last year's inaugural season, when the IronPigs opening-day roster featured just one player (Jaramillo at No. 10) among the top 10.

J.A. Happ, expected to be in the mix for the Phillies' fifth spot in the rotation, moved up from 11th to ninth after he went 8-7 with a 3.60 ERA in 24 games while finishing second in the International League in strikeouts with 151. Happ also had three stints with the Phillies (1-0, 3.69 in eight games, four starts) and appeared in one game in the postseason for the club.

Rounding out the top five is Kyle Drabek, who pitched just 32.1 innings last year after recovering from Tommy John surgery. But if the 21-year-old right hander is healthy his career could take off -- one Phillies official said last spring that a healthy Drabek could move rapidly up the Phillies chain a la Cole Hamels, who went from Lakewood to Citizens Bank Park in a little over two months in 2006. Drabek's rise might be that spectacular but if the cards fall right he could be seen on the Coca-Cola Park mound by mid-2010.

The rest of the top 10 should spend 2009 at the lower levels.

Outfielder Michael Taylor (No. 6) hit .346 with 19 homers and 88 RBIs in 132 games last year at Lakewood and Clearwater. He could open the season at Reading.

Travis D'Arnaud (No. 7), a catcher who turns 20 on Feb. 10, hit .309 in 48 games at Williamsport and 297 in 16 games at Lakewood last year after he was a supplemental first-round pick in the 2007 draft.

Outfielder Zach Collier (No. 8), a 2008 supplemental first-round pick, hit .297 in 129 at-bats in the Gulf Coast League as a 17-year-old.

Another 17-year-old, right hander Jason Knapp (No. 10), struck out 38 and allowed 26 hits in 31 innings in the Gulf Coast League after being the 71st player taken in the draft.

This year's top 10 list doesn't include Joe Savery, No. 3 a year ago, and Drew Carpenter, last year's No. 9. Both took a step back after struggling last year.

The 23-year-old Savery, a lefty, was the club's top pick in 2007 and jumped over Lakewood to Clearwater last year, But he was only 9-10 with a 4.13 ERA with the Threshers, allowing 171 hits in 150 innings.

Carpenter, a 23-year-old righty and second-round pick in 2006, began the 2008 season as a prized pitching jewel after going 17-6 at Clearwater in '07. But after reporting to camp out of shape Carpenter got off to a disastrous start at Reading (2-7, 6.94, 1.87 WHIP in 11 starts) and found himself back at Clearwater -- or as one columnist phrased it, the Phillies' fat farm -- by midseason. However, after righting himself in Florida Carpenter returned to Reading for five solid starts (4-1, 3.44), earning him a one-inning major league debut on Aug. 27 vs. the Mets and a late-season start for the IronPigs at Pawtucket (6 hits, 2 runs in 7 innings). If he learned his lesson last year and took the offseason a bit more seriously, Carpenter could have a spot in the IronPigs rotation.

Another potential member of the IronPigs rotation could be a guy who already owns 21 major-league wins for the Phillies -- Kyle Kendrick, their seventh-round pick in 2003. Kendrick jumped from Reading to the Phillies in 2007 and went 10-4 in 20 starts, helping rescue a battered rotation and helping to keep the Phillies afloat until their September surge past the Mets to the playoffs. Kendrick won 11 games last year for the Phillies but his ERA shot up from 3.87 to 5.49, and he lost his spot in the rotation down the stretch. He likely will go to spring training as a candidate to hang onto his spot in the rotation but one would guess that, barring a late trade, the spot is Happ's to lose, which could put Kendrick in Triple-A for the first tiime in his career.

Bottom line is, the IronPigs roster this year should feature more home-grown talent than last year's edition. Then the question will be whether it's enough to compete with talent of the Red Sox (Pawtucket) and Yankees (Scranton/Wilkes-Barre) in the International League.

Last Year's Top 10

1. Carlos Carrasco

2. Adrian Cardenas (traded to Oakland in Joe Blanton deal)

3. Joe Savery

4. Josh Outman (traded to Oakland in Blanton deal)

5. Kyle Drabek

6. Dominic Brown

7. Greg Golson (traded to Texas for John Mayberry Jr)

8. Lou Marson

9. Drew Carpenter

10. Jason Jaramillo

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Brian Mazone has returned home in his quest to reach the major leagues.

Mazone, an International League all-star the last two years for the Phillies, signed as a minor league free agent with the Dodgers, which takes him out of the IL. The Mission Viejo, Ca., native will be invited to spring training.